All Aboard the Arbutus Corridor

A Design Contest, Exhibit and Report

Background

The Arbutus Corridor is a unique intact 11 km rail line that runs from False Creek to the Fraser River. Canadian Pacific Railroad ran service on this line until 2001. A dispute between CPR and the City of Vancouver over jurisdiction is currently in the Supreme Court of Canada. In July of 2000 the City Council of Vancouver passed the Arbutus Corridor Official Development Plan(ODP), proposing to develop the corridor as a multi-use transportation and greenway corridor including rail, bicycle, and pedestrian use. A Public Opinion Poll in 2000 found that 79% of Vancouver residents wanted to retain the Arbutus Corridor as a transportation right of way.

Arbutus Corridor looking north from King Edward

All Aboard the Arbutus Corridor

In 2004, SPEC launched All Aboard the Arbutus Corridor, a pubic design contest inviting the professional and general community to submit designs and ideas for the future development of the corridor. We received over 75 submissions and in February 2005 a Judging Panel selected the winning entries. SPEC mounted an exhibit in the Atrium of the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, beginning with an Open House and Awards Ceremony on March 18th, 2005 which was attended by over 100 people.

View the winner submissions and a selection of other entries. Gain a unique perspective on the corridor with our link to Aerial Photography which is not to be missed!

Next Steps

There will be more Exhibit Venues over the next several months. As well, SPEC will present Report on the Project to the City of Vancouver, the GVRD, TransLink, Canadian Pacific Railroad, and other interested institutions.